NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Kia Sportage. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
THROTTLE OPENED UP COMPLETEY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED.*AK A PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FACTORY AND WAS NOT, GOT WEDGED UNDER THE THROTTLE CABLE AND STUCK THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. *SLC
NOTICED AFTER WASHING CAR THAT RIGHT HEAD LAMP CLEAR COVER WAS FRACTURED ON THE INSIDE. DEALER REPLACED COVER. SECOND TIME WAS 12/27/01, NOTICED WHILE TRAVLING IN FRONT OF KIA DRIVEN BY WIFE WHILE I WAS IN ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT THE RIGHT HEAD LAMP BEAM WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE RIGHT. WAS BLINDING SO I HAD DEALER ADJUST BEAM.*AK
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR WATER DRIPPING ON TO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR FROM AIR CONDITIONER UNDER DASH. FIRST TIME DEALER CLEANED OUT DRIP PAN AND SECOND TIME, REPLACED DRIP PAN. *AK
FOR A PERIOD OF 30-45 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S CABIN. A COMPANY NAMED GREEN CIRCLE TESTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE. PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES WHILE IN THE VEHICLE, AND DRIVER SOMETIMES BECAME DIZZY. DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE, INTAKE MANIFOLD ONCE, AND FUEL INJECTORS ONCE. THESE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR
AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING. CONSUMER WILL STEP ON GAS PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL JUST DO NOTHING. *AK
I WAS DRIVING HOME JULY 14TH 2010 WHEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A "THUD" UNDERNEATH MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. IT WAS THEN THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I HAD TO TRAVEL OVER 20 MILES BACK HOME ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO BRAKES. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR BACK WITH NO DAMAGE TO IT, MYSELF, OR MY TWO FRIENDS WHO WERE RIDING WITH ME. IT TURNS OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT AND THUS FELL SUDDENLY, CUTTING THE BRAKE LINE. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE ROTTING OF THE FRAME WAS DUE TO POOR AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN. IT IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED AND HAS NO VENTILATION TO FLUSH OUT WATER AND SALT. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN SOONER AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH NO INJURIES. KIA LATER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE FRAME WITH AN $1,800 ONE, BUT NOTED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $6,000 TO HAVE IT INSTALLED WHICH IS SIMPLY UNREASONABLE. I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING, I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BUT THE NEW ONE IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE WINDOW STRIPS ARE ALL TWISTED UP AND MAKE A ROARING SOUND WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BUT THEY STILL ROAR. THE DASH RATTLES, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. THE REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN. THE RADIO HAS STATIC MOST OF THE TIME. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO GO WHEN I ACCELERATE. IT KIND OF SPUTTERS AND THEN GOES. THE BANDS SQUEAL BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THEY STILL SQUEAL.
THERE IS A DUST COMING FROM BRAKE PADS, WHICH IN TURN, WILL RESULT IN CONSUMER REPLACING BRAKE PADS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONSULTED,AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL". PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
WHILE TRAVLING AT 35-40 MPH AND RUNNING INTO A TREE HEAD-ON AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
MOTOR POWERED REGULATOR WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN VEHICLE 6 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2001.*AK *SLC
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CORRODED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO RIGHT. BRAND NEW VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN IN AT 20-30 MILES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT END. ALL WORK WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, GEAR SHIFT AUTOMATICALLY POPS INTO ANOTHER GEAR. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS WIND NOISE COMING FROM ALL FOUR DOORS. *YD
1. VEHICLE ROCKS SIDE-TO-SIDE WHEN MAKING TURNS. 2. VEHICLE HAS EXTRA PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. 3. VEHICLE MOVES(SLIDES) RIGHT OF THE ROADWHILE DRIVING. 4. FRONT LEFT-SIDE OF VEHICLE SHAKES(UNTIL YOU CAN LOOK OUT FRONT WINDOW WITHOUT HAVING A HEADACHE)AT 10-60MPH. 5. VEHICLE 'S BODY BOUNCE FORWARD AND BACKWARD A FEW TIMES WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP. 6. FRONT DRIVER SEATBELT LOCKS SOMETIMES(FOR NO REASON).*AK (DOT NUMBER: 5MHCA32900 TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WET ON THE EXTERIOR BECAUSE THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/03/11
BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND BRAKES APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE. BUT, AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP PEDAL WAS HARD, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN REAR. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
A FUSE KEEPS BLOWING OUT WHICH CONTROLS ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING FAILURE OF ODOMETER/ SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER, AND VEHICLE DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY.*AK *SLC
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EMIT SULPHUR DEOXIDE FROM EXHAUST WHICH FELLS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
VEHICLE PULLS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 20-60 MPH, ESPECIALLY ON MAIN HWY, PULLS SO HARD AT TIMES THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD FLIP OVER VERY EASILY OR THROW ME INTO ANOTHER LANE. HAD DEALERSHIP CHECK THE SWAY BAR OR OTHER PARTS THAT COULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN WHEN CAR WAS IN FOR OTHER MULTIPLE REPAIRS. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, HOWEVER THEY ONLY DROVE IT 4 MILES INSIDE CITY LIMITS WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS APPROX 25-35 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BEEN IN REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 10/01.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO FAILED THE RADIO FAILED. *JG
THE GLASS PORTION (ONLY) OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN AND THE DEALER ADVISES THAT REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WHICH THE DEALER SAYS MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350 INCLUDING PAINTING OF THE MIRROR SURROUND. I LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND FIND THAT THE MIRROR GLASS IS BONDED TO A BLACK PLASTIC BACKING THAT SNAPS IN PLACE. THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN TO PAD THE BILL FOR THE ENTIRE UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL NOT SHOW US THE PARTS FICHE AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON-RESPONSIVE. CAN YOU PROVIDE A COPY OF THE PARTS BOOK BREAKDOWN OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR THIS VEHICLE? I WILL APPRECIATE IT AND WILL THEN BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN MIRROR AND RESTORE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE AT A REASONABLE COST. I CAN SEE NO REASON FOR THE BROKEN PART TO COST, AT RETAIL, MORE THAN $35 AND THE INSTALLATION LABOR IS INCIDENTAL AS IT ONLY INVOLVES SNAPPING IT IN PLACE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DT
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN STABLE. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN SHE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ANY VEHICLE THAT PASSES BY THE VEHICLE WITH THE WIND IT WILL PUSH THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE STABILITY AND WILL SWING LANE BY LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT SINCE SHE HAS MADE HER FIRST PAYMENT YET THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANY TYPE OF WORK ON IT. TS
VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. WHILE DRIVING TWICE, CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS NEARLY INVOLVED IN COLLISION. *AK *JB *TS
CONSUMER STATE VEHICLE BACKED INTO A TREE, THEN INSTEAD OF BUMPER CATCHING THE IMPACT THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS CRUSHED. BUMPER WAS NOT STRONG AT ALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL LIGHT ENGAGED BY ITSELF, WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, SHORTLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK
FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION. IF THE WINDOWS WERE ALL THE WAY UP THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THEM TO GO DOWN. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING. *AK
WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO TURN ON. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED KIAS ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT, AND TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED A WIRE FROM THE ELECTRICAL KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED THE KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE. THEN, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. *AK